The deep of winter is never the best time of year for vegetables. That is why the arrival of the first produce from the far south of Kyushu is such an outstanding pleasure — especially when the crop in question is ten-mame, a.k.a. sora-mame.
I use the Japanese names — rather than plain old "broad beans" — because I have never anywhere else tasted such exquisitely tender, sweet-bitter, jade green young beans as here in Japan. Most especially when they've been slowly grilled over charcoal.
Great with a craft beer (even Coedo, Kawaguchi's best — though not by a long streak Japan's)...
The dish at the back was a take on pot au feu that actually tasted pretty good, despite those wieners.
Consider this post as a teaser for a fine little place I'm introducing in my column this coming Friday. More details after it's out in print...
